Archive for June 2009

This year, 4.3 million babies will be born in the United States, representing a 0.4 percent decline from 2008. While recessions typically lead to fewer birth rates, the latest research from Los Angeles-based IBISWorld shows that not only does parenting get pricier with time, but the impact of current economic conditions will further exacerbate the financial commitment.

“We can expect to see a surge in the boomerang generation [ages 18-24] returning home and continuing financial dependency on parents due to a scarce and competitive job market,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst at IBISWorld. “This phenomenon has become more apparent in recent years, with higher costs in tuition and rent making transitioning into adulthood increasingly difficult. Thanks to the recession, many parents will get prolonged time with their kids until the graduate’s debt is paid off or market conditions improve.”

From the moment of conception to age 18, the average cost of raising a child is about $227,862—which translates to an average cost of $12,658 a year. A household yielding an annual income of less than $45,000 will spend roughly $156,469 on their child until they turn 18. Incomes between $45,000 and $75,000 spend $214,829, while households earning $75,000 and above splurge over $312,286 by the time their teen graduate’s high school. Afterwards, parents can expect to shell out for college tuition, along with additional financial burdens induced by a stagnant economy.

Just because we’re in a recession doesn’t mean we have to look like it, right? Well that’s Coach’s “new bag.” The company has created a less expensive Poppy line to fit the times without cheapening it’s luxury image.

According to Lew Frankfort, chief executive at Coach, the average price of the Poppy collection will be be $260, about 20 percent less than the usual.

Main pieces from the new line were tested in nine Coach stores and 23 department stores this spring. Two bags that did better than expected were the Groovy and the Glam (pictured).

DEAL ALERT! If you’ve got a Facebook account you can become of a fan of Coach and get a free gift! By entering your email address and registering online to their new Poppy fashion line, you will get a print out for a free set of pencils in a stylish little box. Take the print out to your favorite Coach store and enjoy your free gift! But, supplies are limited, so you better act fast.

Economic abuse is often a “silent” aspect of domestic violence that many Americans are unaware of or are hesitant to discuss. It’s a tactic commonly used by domestic violence abusers to control their victims’ finances to prevent them from leaving a dangerous relationship.

70 percent of Americans know people who are or have been victims of domestic violence – – – but nearly the same percentage of Americans fail to see a connection between domestic violence and economic abuse.

Instead, when Americans hear the term “economic abuse,” 77 percent Americans think of Wall Street woes (e.g. corporate greed or irresponsible spending) and don’t associate it with something that could be happening in their own neighborhoods.

The Allstate Foundation provides the following signs to recognize economic abuse:– Taking money, credit card or property from a partner without their permission
– Racking up debt without a partner’s knowledge
– Purposely ruining a partner’s credit score
– Forbidding a partner from earning money or attending school
– Being forced by a partner to hand over paychecks
– Cancelling insurance or credit cards without the partner’s knowledge
– Harassing a partner at work to negatively impact a job

The Allstate Foundation, in partnership with NNEDV, recently developed a Financial Empowerment Curriculum to help victims achieve financial independence. The curriculum includes financial tools and information designed to enable survivors of domestic abuse to fully understand their financial circumstances, as well as engage in short-term and long-term planning (e.g., budgeting tools, step-by-step planners, tips, etc.) to accomplish their personal goals.

The user-friendly curriculum is available in a variety of formats, including hard copy, Spanish-language, DVD and downloadable versions at www.ClickToEmpower.org to help people of all incomes and earning power work toward long-term economic empowerment.

If you’re looking for a delicious dessert this 4th of July, look no further. Here’s a recipe for low-calorie Red, White & Blueberry Cheesecake Bars from www.RecipeGirl.com. Yes, I said low calorie – less than 200 calories a bar:

2. In a small bowl, mix crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. In a food processor (or with an electric mixer) blend cream cheese, eggs, milk, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest just until smooth. Do not overbeat.

4. Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the crumb crust. Scatter raspberries and blueberries on top.

5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until touch to center feels slightly firm and set.

6. Cool completely before cutting. Use foil to lift cheesecake out of pan and onto a cutting board. Use a thin, sharp knife to cut into clean-looking bars (wiping blade clean with a paper towel between cuts). Refrigerate until ready to serve.

With the same artistry and precision that sustains his namesake line, Gilles Montezin introduces his first bridal collection. The brand has long captured the hearts of women and loyalty of luxury retailers and stylists across the country—namely Kleinfeld, Saks Fifth Avenue, Patricia Field, and Sarah Jessica Parker. With this bridal collection Montezin also introduces a dynamic waist slimming construction, “Le Cinch™”.

Having built countless bustiers and corsets as a costume designer at The Opera Bastille in Paris, Montezin has an unmatched eye for tailoring. With a strong emphasis on cut and shape came the discovery of new boning and bodice construction methods. Coined by the designer himself, “Le Cinch™” is an abbreviated interpretation of the traditional corset that nearly doubles its predecessor’s figure enhancing effects. The dresses are less confining and achieve the perfect hourglass silhouette with unprecedented comfort. The slenderizing effects of Le Cinch™ offer a bride an instant reduction of two to four inches from the waistline! The collection is available in sizes up to 18W. Larger sizes are available via special order. Dresses range from $4,000 – $7,000 retail.

“I’m not looking to make a ‘statement’,” said Gilles. “Whether ready-to-wear or bridal I’m looking to make woman’s dreams reality; I’m looking to make women feel and look amazing!” Most recently Gilles’ work was featured in ELLESweden, Women’s Wear Daily, and on Sarah Jessica Parker in the film Sex and the City.

Gilles Montezin’s new bridal collection has not been posted to his website yet, but to view some of the collection click here. Or to view his is ready-to-wear line, click here.

By now most of us have some sort of reusable bag for the grocery store, but how many people actually use them? Personally, I never want to stroll into a store with a bunch of bags…especially in addition to my handbag. But recently I found a solution – Joey Totes.

Joey Totes are bags with a built-in pouch, designed to make it simple for people to get into the reusable bag habit. Each bag stows into a tiny storage pouch that is sewn directly into each Joey Tote; so it’s impossible to misplace. Better still, each pouch can also store at least one other tote (two for the “Big Joey”), so all of the bags are conveniently kept in one place that’s still small enough to easily fit into a purse or coat pocket. –You no longer have to look like the bag lady!

Great for use at the mall, the beach or even the gym, Joey Totes are made from rip-stop nylon, hold up to 40 pounds each and are machine washable. Plus they’re so inexpensive; starting at $5 and going up to $20.

But don’t take my word for it…Sally Wern from Annapolis, MD said, “…I traveled with [a Joey Tote] to Miami for the week and it was an incredible beach tote, purse, and all around travel bag in that it was sturdy, yet light weight and expandable for travel.”